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“ Mell opened the Fairy Tales and prepared to read.” — Frontispiece 




LITTLE BO-PEEP 


BY 


SUSAIS^ COOLIDGE 


AUTHOR OF 


“the new year’s rakgain,” “what KATY mi) 


“what KATY DID AT SCHOOL,” 
/ 



ETC. 


IlhistratetJ 





BOSTON 


LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 


THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two Copies ReceivIo 


AUG. t 1901 



Copyright entry 


t, } 

CLASS O- XXc. No. 


/ / 2.6 


COPY 8. 


Copyrightj 1875, 1883, 

By Roberts Brothers. 

Copyright, 1901, 

By Little, Brown, and Company. 




flnibcrsits ^piress 


John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U. S. A. 



LITTLE BO-PEEP. 

The sim was setting at the end of an August 
day. Everybody was glad to see the last of 
him, for the whole world felt scorched and hot, 

— the ground, the houses, — even the ponds 
1 


2 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


looked warm as they stretched in the steaming 
distance. On the edge of the horizon the sun 
winked with a red eye, as much as to say, 
Don’t flatter yourselves, I shall be back again 
soon;” then he slowly sank out of sight. It 
was comforting to have him go, if only for a 
little while. Perhaps,” thought the people, 
a thunder-storm or something may come 
along before morning, and cool him off.” 

Little Mell Davis was as glad as anybody 
when the sun disappeared. It had been a hard 
day. Her step-mother had spent it in making 
soap. Soap-making is ill-smelling, uncomfort- 
able work at all times, and especially in August. 
Mrs. Davis had been cross and fractious, had 
scolded a great deal, and found many little jobs 
for Mell to do in addition to her usual tasks of 
dish-washing, table-setting, and looking after 
the children. MeU was tired of the heat ; tired 
of the smell of soap, of being lectured ; and when 
supper was over was very glad to sit at peace 
on the door-steps and read her favorite book, a 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


3 


tattered copy of the Fairy Tales. Soon she 
forgot the trials of the day. Once upon a 
time there lived a beautiful Princess,” she read, 
but just then came a sharp call. Mell, Mell, 
you tiresome girl, see what Tommy is about ; ” 
and Mrs. Davis, dashing past, snatched Tommy 
away from the pump-handle, which he was ply- 
ing vigorously for the benefit of his small sis- 
ters, who stood in a row under the spout, all 
dripping wet. Tommy was wetter still, having 
impartially pumped on himself first of all. 
Frocks, aprons, jacket, all were soaked, shoes 
and stockings were drenched, the long pig tails 
of the girls streamed large drops, as if they had 
been little rusty-colored water-pipes. 

Look at that ! ” cried Mrs. Davis, exhibit- 
ing the half-drowned brood. You might as 
well be deaf and blind, Mell, for any care you 
take of 'em. Give you a silly book to read, 
and the children might perish before your eyes 
for all you'd notice. Look at Isaphine, and 
Gabella Sarah. Little lambs, — as likely as not 


4 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


they’ve taken their deaths. It shan’t happeii 
again, though. Give me that book — ” And, 
snatching Mell’s treasure from her hands, Mrs. 
Davis flung it into the fire. It flamed, shriv- 
elled : the White Cat, Cinderella, Beauty 
and the Beast, — all, aU v^ere turned in one 
moment into a heap of unreadable ashes ! Me 11 
gave one clutch, one scream ; then she stood 
quite still, with a hard, vindictive look on her 
face, which so provoked her step-mother that 
she gave her a slap as she hurried the children 
upstairs. Mrs. Davis did not often slap Mell. 
I punish my own children,” she would say, 
not other people’s.” Other people’s chil- 
dren ” meant poor Mell. 

It was not a very happy home, this of the 
Davis’s. Mell’s father was captain of a whaler, 
and almost always at sea. It was three years 
now since he sailed on his last voyage. No 
word had come from him for a great many 
months, and his wife was growing anxious 
This did not sweeten her temper, for in case he 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


5 


never returned, Mell’s would be another back to 
clothe, another mouth to fill, when food, perhaps,, 
would not be easily come by. Mell was not 
anxious about her father. She was used to 
having him absent. In fact, she seldom thought 
of him one way or another. If Mrs. Davis had 
been kinder, and had given her more time to 
read the Fairy Tales, she would have been quite 
a happy little girl, for she lived in dreams, and 
it did not take much to content her. Half her 
time was spent in a sort of inward play which 
never came out in words. Sometimes in these 
plays she was a Princess with a gold crown, and 
a delightful Prince making love to her all day 
long. Sometimes she kept a candy-shop, and 
lived entirely on sugar-almonds and sassafras- 
stick. These plays were so real to her mind 
that it seemed as if they must some day come 
true. Her step-mother and the cliildren did not 
often figure in them, though once in a while she 
made believe that they were all changed into 
agreeable people, and shared her good luck. 


6 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


There was one thing in the house, however, 
which invariably took part in her visions. This 
was a large wooden chest with brass handles 
which stood upstairs in Mrs. Davis’s room, and 
was always kept locked. 

Mell had never seen the inside of this chest 
but once. Then she caught glimpses of a red 
shawl, of some coral beads in a box, and of vari- 
ous interesting looking bundles tied up in paper. 
‘‘ How beautiful ! ” she had cried out eagerly, 
whereupon Mrs. Davis had closed the lid with a 
snap, and locked it, looking quite vexed. Whal 
is it ? Are all those lovely things yours ? ” 
asked Mell, and she had been bidden to hold 
her tongue, and see if the kitchen fire didn’t 
need another stick of wood. It was two years 
since this happened. Mell had never seen the 
lid raised since, but every day she had played 
about the big chest and its contents. 

Sometimes she played that the chest belonged 
to the beautiful Princess, and was full of her 
clothes and jewels. Sometimes a fairy lived 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


7 


there, who popped out, wand in hand, and made 
things over to Mell’s liking. Again, Mell played 
that she locked her step-mother up into the 
chest, and refused to release her till she pro- 
mised never, never again, so long as she lived, to 
scold about any thing. Mrs. Davis would have 
been very vexed had she known about these 
plays. It made her angry if Mell so much as 
glanced at the chest. There you are again, 
peeping, peeping,” she would cry, and drive 
Mell before her downstairs. 

So this evening, after the burning of the 
book, Mell’s sore and angry fancies flew as usual 
to the chest. It’s so big,” she thought, that 
all the children could get into it. I’ll play that 
a wicked enchanter came and flew away with 
mother, and never let her come back. Then I 
should have to take care of the children ; and 
rd get somebody to nail some boards, so as to 
make five dear little cubby-houses inside the 
chest. I’d put Tommy in one, Isaphine in 
another, Arabella Jane in another, Belinda in 


8 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


f 

another, and Gahella Sarah in another. Then 
Fd shut the lid down and fasten it, and wouldn't 
I have a good time ! When dinner was ready 
1 'd fetch a plate and spoon, feed 'em all round, 
and shut 'em up again. It would be just the 
same when I washed their faces ; I'd just take a 
wet cloth and do 'em all with a couple of scrubs. 
They couldn't get into mischief I suppose in 
there. Yet I don't know. Tommy is so bad 
that he would if he could. Let me see, — what 
could he do? If he had a gimlet he'd bore 
holes in the boards, and stick pins through to 
make the others cry. I must be sure to see if 
he has any gimlets in his pocket before I put 
him in. Oh, dear, I hope I shan't forget ! " 

Mell was so absorbed in these visions that she 
did not hear the gate open, and when a hand 
was suddenly laid on her shoulder she gave a 
little cry and a great jump. A tall man had 
come in, and was standing close to her. 

Does Mrs. Captain Davis live here ? " asked 
the tall man. 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


9 


Yes/’ said Mell, staring at him with her big 
eyes. 

Is she to home ’ ” 

Yes/’ said Mell again. She’s in there/’ 
pointing to the kitchen. 

The tall man stepped over Mell, and went in, 
Mell heard the sound of voices, and grew curi- 
ous. She peeped in at the door. Her step- 
mother was folding a letter. She looked vexed 
about something. 

“ What time shall you start ? ” she said. 

Half-past five,” replied the man. I’ve my 
hands to pay at ten, and the weather’s so hot 
it’s best to get off early.” 

I suppose I must go,” went on Mrs. Davis, 
‘‘ though I’d rather be whipped than do it. You 
can stop if you’ve a mind to : I’ll be ready.” 

a Yery well,” said the man. You haven’t 
got a drink of cider in the house, have you ? 
This dust has made me as dry as a chip.” 

Mell, run down cellar and fetch some,” said 
Mrs. Davis. It was good cider once, but I’m 


10 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


afraid it’s pretty hard now.” She bustled about ; 
brought doughnuts and a pitcher of water. The 
man drank a glass of the sour cider and went 
away. Mrs. Davis sat awhile thinking. Then 
she turned sharply on Mell. 

^^I’ve got to go from home to-morrow on 
business/’ she said. Perhaps I shall be back by 
tea-time, and perhaps I sha’n’t. If there was 
anybody I could get to leave the house with 1 
would, but there isn’t anybody. Now, listen to 
me, Mell Davis. Don’t you open a book to-mor- 
row, not once ; but keep your eyes on the chil- 
dren, and see that they don’t get into mischief. 
If they do, I shall know who to thank for it. 
I’ll make a batch of biscuit to-night before I go 
to bed ; there’s a pie in the cupboard, and some 
cold pork, and you can boil potatoes for the 
children’s breakfast and for dinner. Are you 
listening ? ” 

Yes’m,” replied Mell. 

See that the children have their faces and 
bands washed,” went on her step-mother. Oh, 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


11 


dear, if you were a different kind of girl how 
much easier would it be ! I wish your father 
would come home and look after his own affairs, 
instead of my having to leave things at sixes and 
sevens and go running round the country hunt- 
ing up his sick relations for him.” 

Is it grandmother who is sick ? ” asked Mell 
timidly. She had never seen her grandmother, 
but she had played about her very often. 

No,” snapped Mrs. Davis. It’s youi 
Uncle Peter. Don’t ask questions ; it’s none 
of your business who’s sick. Mind you strain 
the milk the first thing to-morrow, and wring 
out the dishcloth when you’re through with it. 
Oh, dear, to think that I should have to go ! ” 
Mell crept to bed. She was so very tired 
that it seemed just one moment before Mrs. 
Davis was shaking her arm, and calHng her to 
get up at once, for it was five o’clock. Slowly 
she unclosed her sleepy eyes. Sure enough, 
the night was gone. A fiery red bar in the 
East showed that the sun too was getting out 


12 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


of bed, and making ready for a hot day's work. 
Mell rubbed her eyes. She wished that it was 
all a dream, from which she had waked only to 
fall asleep again. But it was no use playing at 
dreams with Mrs. Davis standing by. 

Mrs. Davis was by no means in a h iiinor for 
play. People rarely are at five in the morning. 
She rushed about the house like a whirlwind, 
giving Mell directions, and scolding her in ad- 
vance for all the wrong things she was going to 
do, till the poor child was completely stunned 
and confused. By and by the tall man appeared 
with his wagon. Mrs. Davis got in and drove 
away, ordering and lecturing till the last mo- 
ment. ^^WhaPs the use of telling, for you’re 
sure to get it all wrong,” were her last words, 
and Mell thought so too. 

She walked back to the house feeling stupid 
and unhappy. But the quiet did her good, and 
as gradually she realized that her step-mother 
was actually gone, — gone for the whole day, — 
her spirits revived, and she began to smile and 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


13 


sing softly to herself. Very few little girls of 
twelve would, I think, have managed better 
than Mell did for the first half of that morning. 

First she got breakfast, only bread and milk 
and baked potatoes, but there is a wrong as well 
as a right way with even such simple things, and 
Mell really did all very cleverly. She swept 
the kitchen, strained the milk, wound the clock. 
Then, as a sound of twittering voices began 
above, she ran up to the children, washed and 
dressed, braided the red pig- tails, and got them 
downstairs successfully, with only one fight be- 
tween Tommy and Isaphine, and a roaring fit 
from Arabella Jane, who was a tearful child. 
After breakfast, while the little ones played on 
the door-steps, she tidied the room, mended the 
fire, washed plates and cups, and put them away 
in the cupboard, wrung out the dishcloth accord- 
ing to orders, and hung it on its nail. When 
this was finished she looked about with pride. 
The children were unusually peaceful ; alto- 
gether, the day promised well. Mother J1 not 


14 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


say that I’m a good-for-nothing girl this time/* 
thought Mell, and tried to recollect what should 
be done next. 

The kerosene can caught her eye. 

I’ll clean the lamp/’ she said. 

She had never cleaned the lamp before, but 
had seen her step-mother do it very often. First, 
she took the lamp-scissors from the table drawer 
and cut the wick, rather jaggedly, but Mell did 
not know that. Then she tipped the can to fill 
the lamp. Here the misfortunes of the day 
began ; for the can slipped, and some of the oil 
was spilled on the floor. This terrified MeU, for 
that kitchen-floor was the idol of Mrs. Davis’s 
heart. It was scrubbed every day, and kept as 
white as snow. Mell knew that her step-mother’s 
eyes would be keen as Blue Beard’s to detect a 
spot; and, with all the energy of despair, she 
rubbed and scoured with soap and hot water. 
It was all in vain. The spot would not come 
out. 

I’ll put a chair there,” thought Mell. Then 
perhaps she won’t see it just at first.” 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 15 

I want that scissors/’ cried Tommy from 
the door. 

You can’t liave it,” replied Mell, hurrying 
them into the drawer. ^^It’s a bad scissors, 
Tommy, all oily and dirty. Nice little boys 
don’t want to play with such dirty scissors as 
that.” 

Yes, they do,” whined Tommy, quite uncon- 
vinced. 

Now, children,” continued Mell, “ I’m going 
upstairs to make the beds. You must play just 
here, and not go outside the gate till I come 
down again. I shall be at the window, and see 
you all the time. Will you promise to be good 
and do as I tell you ? ” 

Es,” lisped Gabella Sarah. 

Es,” said Isaphine. 

Yes, yes,” clamored the others, headed by 
Tommy, who was a child of promise if ever 
there was one. All the time his eyes were 
fixed on the table drawer! 

Mell went upstairs. First into the children’s 


16 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


room, then into her own. She put her head 
out of the window once or twice. The children 
were playing quietly ; Tommy had gone in for 
something, they said. Last of all, Mell went 
to her step-mother s room. She had just begun 
to smooth the bed, when an astonishing sight 
caught her eyes. The key was in the lock oj 
the hig chest! 

Yes, actually, the fairy treasury, home of so 
many fancies, was left unlocked ! How Mrs. 
Davis came to do so careless a thing will never 
be known, but that she had done so was a fact. 

Mell thought at first that her eyes deceived 
her. She stole across the room and touched the 
key timidly with her forefinger to make sure. 
Then she lifted the lid a little way and let it fall 
again, looking over her shoulder as if fearing to 
hear a sharp voice from the stairs. Next, grown 
bolder, she opened the lid wide. There lay the 
red shawl, just as she remembered it, the coral 
beads in their lidless box, the blue paper parcels , 
and, forgetting all consequences in a rapture of 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


17 


eiiriosity, Mell sat down on the floor, lifted out 
the red shawl, tied the coral beads round her 
neck, and plunged boldly into the contents of 
the big chest. 

Such a delightful chest as it proved to be ! 
Mell thought it a great deal better than any 
fairy tale, as one by one she lifted out and 
handled the things which it contained. First 
and most beautiful was a parasol. It was cov- 
ered with faded pink silk trimmed with fringe, 
and had a long white handle ending in a curved 
hook. Mell had never seen a parasol so fine. 
She opened it, shut it, opened it again ; she 
held it over her head and went to the glass to 
see the effect. It was gorgeous, it was like the 
parasols of Fairy-land, Mell thought. She Laid it 
on the floor close beside her, that she might see 
it all the while she explored the chest. 

Below the parasol was a big paper box. Mell 
lifted the lid. A muff and tippet lay inside, 
made of yellow and brown fur like the back 

of a tortoise-shell cat. These were beautiful, 

2 


18 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


too. Then came rolls of calico and woollen 
pieces, some of which were very pretty, and 
would make nice dolks dresses, Mell thought. 

A newspaper parcel next claimed her atten- 
tion. It held an old-fashioned work-bag made 
of melon seeds strung on wire, and lined with 
green. Mell admired this exceedingly, and 
pinned it to her waist. Then she found a fan 
of white feathers with pink sticks. This was 
most charming of all. Mell fanned herself a 
long time. She could not bear to put it away. 
Princesses, she thought, must use fans like that. 
On the paper which wrapped the fan was some- 
tliing written in pencil. Mell spelled it out. 

For my little Melicent ” was what the writing 
said. 

Was the fan really hers? Perhaps the para- 
sol was hers too, the coral beads, the muff and 
tippet ! All sorts of delightful possibilities 
whirled through her brain, as she tossed and 
tumbled the parcels in the chest out on to the 
floor. More bundles of pieces, some knitting- 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


19 


needles, an old-fashioned pair of bellows (Mell 
did not know what these were), a book or two, 
a package of snuff, which flew up into her face 
and made her sneeze. Then an overcoat and 
some men’s clothes folded smoothly. Mell did 
not care for the overcoat, but there were two 
dresses pinned in towels which delighted her. 
One was purple muslin, the other faded blue 
silk ; and again she found her own name pinned 
on the towel, — For my little Mell.” A faint 
pleasant odor came from the folds of the blue 
silk dress. Mell searched the pocket, and found 
there a Tonquin bean, screwed up in a bit of 
paper. It was the Tonquin bean which had 
made the dress smell so pleasantly. Mell 
pressed the folds close to her nose. She was 
fond of perfumes, and this seemed to her the 
most delicious thing she ever smelt. 

Suddenly the clock downstairs struck some- 
thing very long, and Mell, waking up as it were, 
recollected that it was a good while since she 
had heard any sounds from the children in the 


20 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


yard. She jumped up and ran to the window. 
No children were there. 

Children, children, where are you ? ’’ she 
called \ but nobody answered. 

Tiresome little things,’’ thought Mell. 

They’ve gone round to the pump again. I 
must hurry, or they will be all sopping wet.” 
She seized the parasol, which she could not bear 
to part with, and, leaving the other things on 
the floor, ran downstairs. The red shawl, which 
had been lying in her lap, trailed after her as 
far as the kitchen, and then fell, but Mell did 
not notice it. 

What ! ” she cried, looking at the clock, 
^^noon already! Why, where has the morning 
gone to ? ” 

Where had the children gone to? was an- 
other question. Back yard, side yard, front 
yard, cellar, shed, Mell searched. There were 
no small figures ranged about the pump, no 
voices replied to her calls. Mell ran to the gate. 
She strained her eyes down the road, this way, 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 21 

that way ; not a sign of the little flock was visible 
in any direction. 

Now Mell was frightened. What will 
mother say?^’ she thought, and began to run 
distractedly along the road, crying arid sobbing 
as she went, and telling herself that it wasn’t 
her fault, that she only went upstairs to make 
the beds, — but here her conscience gave a great 
prick. It was but ten o’clock when she went 
upstairs to make the beds! 

Oh, dear 1 ” she sobbed. If only Tommy 
isn’t drowned 1 ” Drowning came into her head 
first, because her step-mother was always in an 
agony about the pond. The pond was a mile 
off at least, but Mrs. Davis never let the children 
even look that way if she could help it. 

Toward the pond poor Mell bent her way; 
for she thought as Tommy had been strictly for- 
bidden to go there, it was probably the very 
road he had taken. The sun beat on her head 
and she put up the parasol, which through all 
her trouble she had grasped firmly in her hand. 


22 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


Even under these dreadful circumstances, with 
the children lost, and the certainty of her step- 
mother’s wrath before her, there was joy in 
carrying a parasol like that. 

By and by she met a farmer with a yoke 
of oxen. 

Oh, please,” said Mell, have you seen five 
children going this way, — four girls and one 
little boy ? ” 

The farmer hummed and hawed. I did see 
some children,” he said at last. It was a 
good piece back, nearly an hour ago, I reckon. 
They was making for the pond ? ” 

Oh, dear ! ” sighed Mell. She thanked the 
farmer, and ran on faster than ever. 

Have you passed any children on this 
road ? ” she demanded of a boy with a wheel- 
barrow, who was the next person she met. 

‘‘ Boys or girls ? ” 

One boy and four girls.” 

Do they belong to you ? ” 

Yes, they’re my brothers and sisters,” said 
Mell. Where did you see them ? ” 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


23 


Haven’t seen ’em/’ replied the boy. He 
grinned as he spoke, seized his barrow, and 
wheeled rapidly away. 

Mell’s tears broke forth afresh. What a 
horrid boy! 

The pond was very near now. It was a 
large pond. There were hills on one side of 
it ; on the other the shore was low, and covered 
with thick bushes. In and out among these 
bushes went Mell, hunting for her lost flock. 
It was green and shady. Flowers grew here- 
and there ; bright berries hung on the boughs 
above her head; birds sang; a saucy squirrel 
ran to the end of a branch, and chippered to 
her as she passed. But MeU saw none of these 
things. She was too anxious and unhappy to 
enjoy what on any other day would have been 
a great pleasure ; and she passed the flowers, 
tlie berries, and the chattering squirrel un- 
heeded by. 

No signs of the children appeared, till at last, 
in a marshy place, a small shoe was seen stick- 


24 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


ino: in the mud. Belinda’s shoe ! Mell knew 
it in a minute. 

She picked up the shoe, wiped the mud from 
it with a tuft of dried grass, and, carrying it in 
her hand, went forward. She w’^as on the track 
now, and here and there prints of small feet in 
the earth guided her. She called Tommy ! 
Isaphine ! Belinda ! ” but no answer came; 
They were either hidden cleverly, or else they 
had wandered a longer distance than seemed 
possible in so short a time. 

Suddenly Mell gave a shriek and a jump. 
There on the path before her lay a snake, or 
what looked like one. It did not move. Mell 
grew bold and went nearer. Alas ! alas ! it 
was not a snake. It was a pigtail of braided 
hair, — Isaphine’s hair : the red color was un- 
mistakable. She seized it. A smell of kero- 
sene met her nose. Oh that Tommy ! 

With the pigtail coiled inside of the lost 
shoe, Mell ran on. She was passing a thicket 
of sassafras bushes, when a sound of crying met 



Tliere they were, sitting in a little circle close together.” — Page 25, 




LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


25 


her ears. Instantly she stopped, and, parting 
the bushes with her hands, peered in. There 
they were, sitting in a little circle close to- 
gether, — Arabella and Gabella Sarah fast asleep, 
with their heads in Belinda’s lap ; Isaphine 
crying; Tommy sitting a little apart, an evil 
smile on his face, in his hand a pair of scissors ! 

You naughty, naughty, naughty boy,” 
screamed Mell, flinging herself upon him. 

With a howl of terror. Tommy started up and 
prepared to flee. Mell caught and held him 
tight. Something flew from his lap and fell to 
the ground. Alas ! alas ! three more pigtails. 
Mell looked at the children. Each little head 
was cropped close. What would mother say ? 

He cut off my hair,” sobbed Isaphine. 

So did he cut mine,” whined Belinda 
He took those nassy scissors you told him not 
to take, and he cut off all our hairs. Boo-lioo I 
boo-hoo ! Tommy’s a notty boy, he is.” 

I’m going to tell Ma when she comes home, 
see if I don’t,” added Isaphine. 


26 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


ain't a bad boy," cried Tommy. ^^Stop 
a-shaking of me, Mell Davis. We was playing 
they was sheep. I was a-shearing of em." 

0 Tommy, Tommy ! " cried poor Mell, hot, 
angry, and dismayed, how could you do such 
a thing?" 

They was sheep," retorted Tommy sulkily. 

Boo-hoo ! boo-hoo ! " blubbered Belinda. 

I don't like my hair to be cut off. It makes 
my head feel all cold." 

He didn't play nice a bit," sobbed Isaphine. 

He's always notty to us.” 

^^ril cut off your head,” declared Tommy, 
threatening with the scissors. 

Mell seized the scissors, and captured them. 
Tommy kicking and struggling meantime. 
Then she waked up the babies, tied on Bel- 
inda’s shoe, collected the unhappy pigtails, and 
said they must all go home. Home ! The 
very idea made her sick with fright. 

I don’t suppose such a deplorable little pro- 
cession was ever seen before. Isaphine and 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


27 


Belinda went first ; then the little ones, very 
cross after their nap ; and, lastly, Mell, holding 
Tommy’s arm, and driving the poor little shorn 
sheep before her with the handle of the parasol, 
which she used as a shepherdess uses her crook. 
They were all tired and hungry. The babies 
cried. The sun was very hot. The road 
seemed miles long. Every now and then Mell 
had to let them sit down to rest. It was nearly 
four o’clock when they reached home ; and, 
long before that, Mell was so weary and dis- 
couraged that it seemed as if she should like to 
lie down and die. 

They got home at last. Mell’s hand was on the 
garden gate, when suddenly a sight so terrible 
met her eyes that she stood rooted to the spot, 
unable to move an inch further. There in the 
doorway was Mrs. Davis. Her face was white 
with anger as she looked at the children. Mell 
felt the coral beads burn about her throat. She 
dropped the parasol as if her arm was broken, 
the guilty tails hung from her hand, and she 


28 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


wished with all her heart that the eai'th could 
open and swallow her up. 

It was a full moment before anybody spoke. 
Then ^^What does this mean?” asked Mrs. 
Davis, in an awful voice. 

Mell could not answer. But the children 
broke out in full chorus of lament. 

Tommy was so bad to us.” He lost us in 
the woods.” He stole the scissors, and they 
were dirty scissors.” Mell went away and 
left us all alone.” 

Yes,” cried Mrs. Davis, her wrath rising 
with each word, I know very well what you 
were up to, miss. All my things upset. As 
soon as I found out that I had forgotten my 
key, 1 knew very well — ” her voice died away 
into the silence of horror. She had just caught 
sight of Belinda’s cropped head. 

Tommy did it. He cut off all our hairs,” 
blubbered Belinda. 

Mell shut her eyes tight. She was too 
frightened to move. She felt herself clutched, 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


29 


dragged in-doors, upstairs, and her ears boxed, 
all in a moment. Mrs. Davis pushed her vio- 
lently forward, a door banged, a key turned. 

There you stay for a week, and on bread and 
water,’' cried a voice through the keyhole ; 
and Mell, opening her eyes, found herself in the 
dark and alone. She knew very well where 
she was, — in the closet under the attic stairs ; 
a place she dreaded, because she had once seen 
a mouse there, and Mell was particularly afraid 
of mice. 

Oh, don’t shut me up here ! Please don’t ; 
please let me out, please,” she shrieked. But 
Mrs. Davis had gone downstairs, and nobody 
replied. 

They’ll come and eat me up as soon as it 
grows dark,” thought Mell ; and this idea so ter- 
rified her that she began to beat on the door 
with her hands, and scream at the top of her 
voice. No one came. And after a while she 
grew so weary that she could scream no longer ; 
so she curled herself up on the floor of the 
closet and went to sleep. 


30 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


When she woke the closet was darker than 
ever. Mell felt weak and ill for want of food. 
Her head ached ; her bones ached from lying 
on the hard floor ; she was feverish and very 
miserable. 

It’s dark ; she’s going to leave me here all 
night,” sobbed Mell. ‘‘ Oh ! won’t somebody 
come and let me out ? ” Now would have been 
a chance to play that she was a princess shut 
up in a dark dungeon ! But MeU didn’t feel 
like playing. She was a real little girl shut up 
in a closet, and it wasn’t nice at all. There 
was no make believe ” left in her just then. 

Suddenly a fine scratching sound began in 
the wall close to her head. The mouse, the 
mouse,” thought Mell, and she gave a shriek so 
loud that it would have scared away a whole 
army of mice. The shriek sounded all over the 
house. It woke the children in their beds, and 
rang in the ears of Mrs. Davis, who was sitting 
down to supper in the kitchen with somebody 
just arrived, — a big, brown, rough-bearded 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


31 


somebody, who smelt of salt-water ; Mell’s father, 
in short, returned from sea. 

What’s that ? ” asked Captain Davis, putting 
down his cup. 

Mrs. Davis was frightened. In the excite- 
ment of her husband’s sudden return she had 
quite forgotten poor Mell in her closet. 

Some of the children,” she answered, trying 
to speak carelessly. I’ll run up.” 

Another terrible shriek. Captain Davis seized 
a candle, and hurried upstairs after his wife. 

He was just in time to see her unlock the 
closet door, and poor Mell tumble out, tear- 
stained, white, frightened almost out of her 
wits. She clutched her step-mother’s dress with 
both hands. 

Oh, don’t make me go in there again ! ’’ she 
pleaded. ^^I will be good. I’ll never meddle 
with the things in the chest any more. There 
are mice in there, hundreds of ’em ; they’ll 
run all over me ; they’ll eat me up. Oh, don't 
make me go in there again ! ” 


32 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


Why, it’s my little Mell! ” cried the amazed 
Captain. Shiver my timbers ! what does this 
mean?” He lifted Mell into his arms and 
looked sternly at his wife. 

She’s been a very naughty girl,” said Mrs. 
Davis, trying to speak boldly. ^^So naughty 
that I had to shut her up. Stop crying so, Mell. 
I forgive you now. I hope you’ll never be so 
bad again.” 

Oh, may I come out ? ” sobbed Mell, clinging 
to her father’s neck. You said I must stay a 
week, but I couldn’t do that, the mice would 
kill me. Mice are so awful ! ” She shuddered 
with horror as she spoke. 

This ain’t a pleasant welcome for a man just 
in from sea,” remarked Captain Davis. 

Mrs. Davis explained and tried to smooth the 
matter over, but the Captain continued very 
sober all that evening. Mell thought it was 
because he was angry with her, but her step- 
mother knew very well that she also was in 
disgrace. The truth was that the Captain was 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


33 


thinking what to do. He was not a man of 
many words, but he felt that affairs at home 
must go very wrong when he was away, and 
tliafc such a state of things was bad for his wife, 
and very bad for Mell. 

So in a day or two he went off to Cape Cod, 
to see his old mother,’' as he said, in reality to 
consult her as to what should be done. When 
he came back, he asked Mell how she would like 
to go and live with Grandmother and be her 
little girl. 

^^Will she shut me up in closets?” asked 
Mell apprehensively. 

^^No, she’ll be very kind to you if you are a 
good girl. Grandma’s an old lady now. She 
wants a handy child about the house to help, 
and sort of pet and make much of. 

I — guess — I’ll — like — it,” said Mell 
slowly. It’s a good way from here, isn’t it ? ” 
Yes, — a good way.” 

Mell nodded her head in a satisfied manner. 
‘‘She'll not often come there,” she thought 
“ She ” meant Mrs. Davis. 

3 


34 


LITTLE BO-PEEP. 


Mrs. Davis was unusually pleasant for the f(‘w 
remaining days which Mell spent at home. I do 
not think she had ever meant to treat Mell un- 
kindly, but she had a hot temper, and the care 
of five unruly children is a good deal for one 
woman to undertake, without counting in a 
httle step-daughter with a head stuffed with 
fairy stories. She washed and ironed, mended 
and packed for Mell as kindly as possible, and 
did not say one cross word, not even when her 
husband brought the coral necklace from the 
big chest and gave it to Mell for her very own. 

The child had a right to her mother’s neck- 
lace,” he said. All was peaceful and serene, 
and when Mell said good-by she surprised her- 
self by feeling quite sorry to go, and kissed 
Gabella Sarah’s small face with tears in her 
eyes. 

Grandmother was just such a dear old woman 
as one reads about in books. Her cheeks were 
all criss-crossed with little wrinkles, which made 
her look as if she were always smiling. Her 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


35 


forehead waa smooth, her eyes kind and blue 
She was small, thin, and wiry. Her laugh was 
as fresh as a young woman’s. Mell loved her 
at once, and was sure that she should be happy 
to live with her and be her little girl. 

Why, Bethuel, you’ve brought me a real 
good helper,” said Grandmother, as Mell ran to 
and fro, setting the tea-table, cutting bread, and 
learning where things were kept. I shall sit 
like a lady and do nothing but rock in my 
cheer now that I’ve got Mell.” Mell heard 
the kind words, and sprang about more busily 
than ever. It was a new thing to be praised. 

Before Captain Davis went next day he 
walked over to Barnstable, and came back with 
a parcel in his hand. The parcel was for Mell. 
It contained the Fairy Tales, — all new and com- 
plete, bound in beautiful red covers. 

^^You shall read them aloud to me in the 
evenings,” said Grandmother. 

That night, if anybody had peeped through 
the window of Grandmother’s little house he 


36 


LITTLE BO-PEEP, 


would have seen a pleasant sight. The kitchen 
was all in order \ the lamp burned clear ; Grand- 
mother sat in her rocking-chair with a smile on 
her kind old face, while Mell, at her feet on a 
little stool, opened the Fairy Tales, and pre- 
pared to read. Once upon a time there lived 
a beautiful Princess,’' she began ; — then a sud- 
den sense of the delightfulness of all this over- 
came her. She dropped the book into her lap, 
clasped her hands tight, and said, ha.K to herself, 
half to Grandmother, I%rit it nice ? ” 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 




ROMPTLY the bell tinkled for noon 
recess in the red school-house, and 
boys and girls came trooping out 
into the sunshine, which was warm as summer 
that day. Nobody stayed behind except Miss 
Sparks, the teacher. She turned the damper in 
the stove to make it warmer, and put on more 
wood ; then took a roll of bread and butter and 
a large pickled cucumber out of her desk and 
sat down to lunch, and to read Young’s Night 
Thoughts,” which somebody had told her was 
an improving” book. The heat soon made 
her head ache, and Night Thoughts ” and the 
cucumber aiding, the children, had they only 
known it, were in a fair way to pass an ex- 
tremely unpleasant afternoon. 



38 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


Luckily they did not know it, otherwise the 
pleasure of the recess would have been spoiled, 
which would have been a pity, for the recess 
was very pleasant. There was the sun for one 
thing ; and real, warm, yellow sun is a treat in 
April, not always to be had. There were the 
woods, beginning to be beautiful, although not 
a leaf-bud was yet visible. Spring was awake, 
and busy at her silent work, varnishing brown 
boughs to glossy brightness, tinting shoots and 
twigs with pink and yellow and soft red colors, 
ari'anging surprises everywhere. The children 
could not have put into words the feeling which 
made the day so delightful, but all were aware 
of it, and each, in his or her way, prepared to 
enjoy the hour. Ofie tiny snow-drift remained 
in a leaf-strewn hollow. The boys found it out, 
and fell to snow-balling with the zest of those 
who do not hope to see snow again for many a 
long month. Big girls, with arms about each 
other’s waists, walked to and fro, whispering 
together. The smaller children cuddled into 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


39 


a sunny fence corner, and, like Wordsworth s 
village maid, 

“ Took their little porringers, 

And ate their dinners there.” 

A group of girls, not so big as those, nor so 
little as these, strolled off into the woods, talk- 
ing as they went. 

Now you just hush up, AVinnie Boker,” 
said one. “ It ^s no use, for we won’t have 
her. She’s been Queen ever so many times, 
and now it ’s somebody else’s turn. There 
are other girls in town besides Blossom, I 
guess.” 

Oh yes, Marianne ; it is n’t broke in 

Winnie, the words running out of her eager 
mouth so fast that they tumbled over each 
other. ‘^It isn’t that at all. You’d make 
a first-rate Queen, or so would Arabella or 
Eunice. But, don’t you see. Blossom always 
ivas Queen, and now she ’s sick I ’m afraid she ’d 
feel badly if we chose somebody else.” 

Dear me, what nonsense ! ” exclaimed Ara- 


40 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


bella, a tall girl in purple calico, with sharp 
black eyes and a Eoman nose. “ It wasn’t fair 
a bit, ma says, to have Blossom always. Ma 
says other people have got rights too. You 
need n’t be so fiery about that stuck-up Blossom, 
Winnie.” 

“Oh, I’m not,” began Winnie, peaceably, 
“but — ” 

“ My father says that Blossom is the prettiest 
girl in the whole township,” broke in Charlie 
Starr, excitedly; “and it’s real mean of you to 
call her stuck-up. Don’t you recollect how 
sweet she looked last year in her white dress, 
and what a pretty speech she made when George 
Tliorne put the crown on her head ? She never 
said unkind things or called anybody names ! 
She ’s always been May-Queen, and I say it ’s 
a shame to leave her out just because she’s 
sick.” 

“You’re a goose,” responded Arabella. 
“ Who wants a sick Queen of the May ? She ’ll 
never be well again, the doctor says ; and as 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


41 


for her beauty, that’s gone for good. Ma 
declares that it’s absurd to call her Blossom 
any more. It is n’t her real name, only her 
pa named her so when she was little, because 
he was so proud of her looks. Her real 
name ’s Sarah Jane, and I ’m going to call her 
Sarah Jane always. So there now, Charlotte 
Starr!” 

“ You bad girl I ” cried Charlie, almost in 
tears. “ How can you 1 Poor dear Blos- 
som 1 ” 

“ Stop quarrelling,” said Laura Riggs, and 
listen to my plan. Blossom can’t be Queen, 
anyhow, don’t you see, because she ’s too sick 
to come to the celebration. So what’s the use 
of fighting about her ? ” 

I thought we could go to her, and put on 
tlie crown and all, and it would be such a sur- 
prise,” ventured Winnie, timidly. “ She ’d be 
so pleased.” 

suppose she would,” sneered Arabella, 
only, you see, we don’t mean to do it.” 


42 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


I propose that we call all the boys and girls 
together after school, and vote who shall be 
Queen,” went on Laura. “ Then to-morrow 
we can go a flower-hunting, and have the 
wreath all ready for next day. It’s splen- 
did that May-day comes on Saturday this 
year.” 

know who I shall vote for, — and I, — 
and I,” cried the children. 

Winnie and Charlotte did not join in the cry. 
They moved a little way off, and looked sadly 
at each other. To them, poor Blossom, sick 
and neglected, seemed still the rightful Queen 
of the May. 

“I’ve thought of a plan,” whispered Charlie. 

“What?” 

But the answer was so softly spoken that 
nobody but Winnie could hear. 

Did I say nobody f I was wrong. Certain 
fine ears which were listening heard all, ques- 
tion and answer both. These ears belonged to 
a little hepatica, who had stolen up very near 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


43 


the surface of the ground to hearken, and, with 
a tiny leaf-hand curled behind her lilac ear, had 
caught every syllable. Whatever the secret 
was, it pleased her, for she clapped both hands 
and called out, — 

“ Listen ! listen ! Hepsy, Patty, Violet, — all 
of you, — listen ! ” 

What is it — what ? ” cried the other flow- 
ers, crowding near her. 

‘‘ Didn’t you hear what those two little girls 
were saying, — Winnie and — what is her 
name — Charlie ” 

“No, we heard nothing. We were listening 
to the tiresome ones who quarrelled. How 
horrid children are I ” 

“Go a flower-hunting indeed,” tittered a 
bloodroot. “ They are welcome to hunt, but 
they will find no flowers.” 

“Indeed they won’t. I’d bite if they tried 
to pick me,” said a dog-tooth violet. 

“ Ach ! fancy their fingers at your stem,” 
shuddered a pale wind-flower. 


44 


QUEEN BLOSSOM-. 


“ How little they guessed that we were 
listening to it all,” laughed a white anemone. 

“ Ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling, 

W e ’ll be as late as we can this spring,” 

sang a columbine. 

We know when to go and when to stay ; 
when to open and when to shut,” said a twin- 
flower. 

Wliere is Mamma Spring ? ” inquired the 
dog-tooth violet. 

“ On the other side the wood,” replied the 
columbine. ‘‘ But she can^t be interrupted just 
now. She ^s very busy cutting out Dutch- 
man’s Breeches. There are five hundred pairs 
to be finislied before night.” 

‘^All of the same everlasting old pattern,” 
grumbled a trillium. 

But listen ; you don’t listen,” urged the 
lilac hepatica. All the cliildren didn’t quar- 
rel. My two — the two I liked — were gentle 
and sweet, and they have a plan — a kind plan 
— about somebody named Blossom. They 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


45 


want to give her a surprise with flowers and 
a wreath, and make her Queen of the May, 
because she is ill and lies in bed. Let us help. 
I like tliem ; and Blossom is a pretty name.” 

Are you quite sure they did not quarrel ? ” 
asked the wind-flower, anxiously. “ It made 
me shiver to hear the others.” 

^^No, they didn’t quarrel. When the rest 
woidd not listen, they moved away and made 
their little plan in a whisper.” 

“And what was the plan?” inquired the 
bloodroot. 

“ Oh, they are wise little things. The others 
are going to have a ^ celebration ’ on Saturday, 
with a great deal of pie and cake and fuss. I 
shall tell Mamma Spring to order up an east 
wind and freeze them well, little monsters ! 
But my two are coming into tlie woods quietly 
to-morrow to search for flowers. I heard 
Charlie tell Winnie that she knew where the 
first May-flowers always come out, and they 
would look there. We know too, don’t we? 


46 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


In the hollow behind the beech- wood, on the 
south bank.” 

They Te not there yet,” said the columbine, 
yawning. 

“No, but they Ve all packed and ready,” said 
the lilac hepatica. “ Do let us telegraph them 
to start at once. I somehow feel as if I should 
like to please Blossom too.” 

So the trill ium, who was telegraph operator, 
stooped down and dragged up a thread-like 
root, fine as wire. 

“ What is the message ? ” he asked. 

“Be — in — flower — by — to-morrow — 
noon — for — Charlie — and — Winnie,” dic- 
tated the hepatica. “ Precisely ten words.” 

“ All riglit,” responded the bloodroot, with 
his fingers on the wire. Tap, tap, tap, tap, 
tap ; the message was sent, and presently came 
an answering vibration. 

“All right. We are off.” It was the reply 
of the May-flowers. 

“ What a fine thing is the telegraph ! ” sighed 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


47 ‘ 


a sentimental sand- violet, while the hepatica 
rubbed her little lilac palms gleefully, and 
exclaimed, — 

I flatter myself tliat job is as good as done. 
Hurrah for Queen Blossom ! 

The other girls did not notice Winnie and 
Charlie particularly next day as they stole from 
the rest and crept away almost on tiptoe to 
the south bank, where the arbutus might be in 
bloom. Drifted leaves hid the bottom of the 
hollow. At first sight there was no promise 
of flowers ; but our little maids were too wise 
to be discouraged. Carefully they picked their 
way down, brushed aside the brown leaves, and 
presently a shriek from both announced dis- 
covery. 

Oh, the darlings ! ” cried Winnie. 

There they were, the prompt, punctual May- 
flowers, so lately arrived that only half their 
leaves were uncurled, and the dust of travel 
still lay on their tendrils. For all that, they 
were not too tired to smile at the happy faces 


48 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


that bent over them as the little girls lifted the 
leaf blankets and gently drew them from their 
hiding-place. Pale buds winked and bright- 
ened; the fuller flowers opened wide pink 
eyes ; all shook their ivory incense-bottles at 
once, and sent out sweet smells, which mixed 
deliciously with the fragrance of fresh earth, of 
moving sap, and sun-warmed mosses. 

Should n’t you think they had come out 
on purpose?” said Winnie, kissing one of the 
pinkest clusters. 

“We did! we did!” cried the May-flowers 
in chorus. But the children did not under- 
stand the flower-language, tliough the flowers 
knew well what tlie children said. Flowers 
are very clever, you see ; much cleverer than 
little girls. 

Winnie and Charlie hid their treasures in a 
tin dinner-pail, pouring in a little water to keep 
them fresh, and carefully shutting the lid. They 
did not want to have their secret found out. 

Going home, they met the others, looking 
somewhat disconsolate. 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


49 


Where have you been ? ” they cried. ‘‘We 
looked everywhere for you.” 

“Oh, in the woods,” said Winnie, while 
Charlie asked, — 

“ Did you find any flowers? ” 

“Not one,” cried Arabella, crossly; “the 
spring is so late ; it ’s a shame. Carrie Briggs 
is chosen Queen, and Miriam Gray is going to 
lend us some paper flowers for the crown. 
They will do just as well.” 

“ Paper flowers! ” began Charlie, indignantly ; 
but Winnie checked her, and pretty soon their 
path turned off from tliat of the others. 

“ Come early to-morrow and help us make 
the throne,” called out Marianne. 

“We can^t : we Ve got something else to do,” 
called back Charlie. 

“What?” 

“We ’re going to see Blossom.” 

“ Oh, pshaw ! Do let that everlasting Sarah 
Jane alone, and come and have a good time,” 
screamed Arabella after them. 

4 


50 


QUEEN BLOSSOM, 


Winnie laughed and shook her head. The 
others went on. 

Blossom lay in bed next morning. She 
always lay in bed now, and it was pitiful to see 
wliat a pale blossom she had become. Only a 
year before her cheeks had been rosier, her 
limbs more active, than those of any of the 
cliildren who daily passed her window on their 
way to school. One unlucky slip on the ice had 
brouglit all this to an end, and now the doctor 
doubted if ever she could get up and be well 
and strong as she used to be. The pretty 
name, given in her days of babyhood, sounded 
sadly now to the parents who watched her so 
anxiously ; but no name could be too sweet, 
her mother thought, for tlie dear, patient child, 
who bore her pain so briglitly and rewarded 
all care and kindness with such brave smiles. 
Blossom she was still, though white and thin, 
and Blossom she would always be, although 
she might never bloom again as once she did, 
until set in the Lord’s garden, where no frosts 
come to hurt the flowers. 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


51 


Happy May-day,” she said, as her mother 
came in. I wonder what the girls are doing. 
Winnie didn’t come yesterday. I don’t even 
know who is to be Queen. Have you heard, 
mamma I ” 

“ I should n’t think they ’d want to have 
any Queen on such a cold day as this,” replied 
mamma. Look how the boughs are blowing 
in the wind. It feels like March out doors.” 

“Oh, they’re sure to want a Queen,” said 
Blossom. “ May-day is such fun. I used to 
like it better than any day in the year.” 

“ Somebody wants to spake to ye, ma’am, if 
you phase,” said Norah, putting her head in at 
the door. 

“Very well. Blossom, dear, you don’t mind 
being left alone for a minute 1 ” 

“ Oh no, indeed. I ’ve such a nice book 
here.” But Blossom did not open lier book 
after mamma went away, but lay looking out 
of the window to where the elm-boughs were 
rocking in the wind. Her face grew a little sad. 


52 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


How nice it used to be ! she said to 
herself. 

Just then she heard a queer noise in the 
entry — drumming, and something else which 
sounded like music. Next, the door opened, 
and a procession of two marched in. Charlie 
was the head of the procession. She wore a 
pink-and-white calico, and tied about her neck 
with a pink string was Willie Smith’s drum, 
borrowed for the occasion. Winnie, in her best 
blue gingham, brought up the rear, her mouth 
full of harmonica. Winnie also carried a flat 
basket, covered with a white napkin, and the 
two girls kept step as they marched across the 
room to Blossom’s bedside, who lay regarding 
them with eyes wide open from amazement. 

Happy May-day, Queen Blossom,” sang 
Charlie, flourishing her drumsticks. 

Happy May-day, Queen Blossom,” chimed 
in Winnie, taking the harmonica from her 
mouth. 

HajDpy May-day,” responded Blossom. 



“ A procession of two marched in.” — Page 52 









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QUEEN BLOSSOM. 53 

“Blit — liow funny — wliat do you call me 
Queen Blossom for 1 ” 

Because you are Queen, and we have come 
to crown you/’ replied Charlie. Then she laid 
down the drumsticks, lifted the white napkin, 
and in a solemn tone began to repeat these 
verses, which, she and Winnie — with a little 
help from somebody, I guess — had written the 
evening before. 

Never mind who the others choose ; 

• You are the Queen for us ; 

They ’re welcome to their paper flowers 
And fuss. 


We bring our Queen a wreath of May, 
And put it on lier head, 

And crown her sweetest, though she lies 
In bed. 


These flowers, dear Blossom, bloomed for you, 
The fairest in the land ; 

Wear them, and give your subjects leave to kiss 
Your hand. 


Charlie finished the verses with great gravity. 
Then, drawing the May-wreath from the 


54 


QUEEN BLOSSOM, 


basket, she put it on Blossom’s head, after 
which, instead of kissing the royal hand, 
according to programme, she clapped both her 
own and began to dance about the bed ex- 
claiming, — 

“Wasn’t that nice? Aren’t they pretty? 
We made them up ourselves — Winnie and 1. 
Why, Blossom, you ’re crying.” 

In fact. Queen Blossom was crying. 

It was only a very little cry — just a drop 
or two, with a rainbow to follow. In another 
minute Blossom had winked the tears away, 
and was smiling brightly. 

“ I did n’t mean to cry,” slie exclaimed, “ only 
I was so surprised. I thought you would all 
be busy to-day, and nobody would come. I 
never dreamed that I should be made Queen 
of the May again. How kind you are, dear 
Charlie and Winnie, and where did you get 
the flowers — real May-flowers ? Nobody has 
begun to look for them yet.” 

“ They came out on purpose for you,” per- 


QUEEN BLOSSOM, 


55 


sisted Charlie; and the May-buds smiled and 
nodded approvingly as she said so. 

Next, Winnie opened her basket, and behold ! 
a cake, with white icing, and in the middle a 
pink thing meant for a crown, but looking more 
like a cuttle-fish, because of the icing’s having 
melted a little. Mrs. Boker had stayed up late 
the night before to bake and ice this May-day 
loaf She, too, loved Blossom, and it pleased 
her that Winnie should plan for the enjoyment 
of her sick friend. 

A knife was brought, and slices cut. Blos- 
som lay on her pillows, nibbling daintily, as 
befits a Queen. Her subjects, perched on the 
bed, ate with the appetite of commoners. The 
sun struggled out, and, in spite of the east wind, 
sent a broad yellow ray into the window. Blos- 
som’s May-wreath made the air delicious ; there 
could not have been found a merrier party. 

Please, dear Duchess, take off my crown 
for a minute,” said Blossom, with a pretty air of 
command. 


LofC. 


56 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


The Duchess, otherwise Charlie, obeyed, and 
laid the wreath on the coverlet just under the 
royal nose. 

“ How lovely, lovely, lovely it is ! ” said Blos- 
som, with a long sigh of delight. 

“ The sun is streaming exactly into your eyes, 
dear,” said her mother. 

She opened the window to close the shutter. 
A sharp, sudden gust of wind blew in, and 
mamma pulled the sash down quickly lest Blos- 
som should be chilled. Nobody noticed that 
one of the May-flowers, as if watcliing its 
chance, detached itself from the wreatli, and 
flew out of window on the back of the interlop- 
ing wind. But it did. 

The wind evidently knew what was expected 
of it, for it bore the May-flower along to the 
woods, and laid it on the brown earth in a cer- 
tain sunny spot. Then, like a horse released 
from rider, it pranced away, wliile the flower, 
putting her pink lips to the ground, called in a 
tiny voice, — 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


57 


Hepatica — Hepsy dear, are you there 

“Yes; wliat is it?” came back an answering 
voice, which sounded very close. It was the 
voice of the lilac hepatica. She and her com- 
panions were much nearer the surface than they 
had been two days before. 

“ It has all gone off so nicely,” went on the 
May-blossom: “We were there in time, and I 
must say I never saw nicer children than that 
Winnie and Charlie. They picked us so gently 
that it scarcely hurt at all. As for Blossom, 
she’s a little dear. Her eyes loved us, and 
liow tenderly slie handled our stems. I really 
wanted to stay with her, only I had such a 
good chance to go, and I thought you would 
all want to hear. It was the nicest May-day 
party I ever saw ” 

“ More — tell us more,” said the underground 
flowers. 

“ There is no more to tell,” replied the May- 
flower, faintly. “It is cold out here, and I am 
growing sleepy. Good-night.” 


58 


QUEEN BLOSSOM. 


After that there was silence in the woods. 

Winnie and Charlie never knew how the 
dear little flower-people had conspired to 
make their May-day happy. Perhaps Blossom 
guessed, for when she laid aside her wreath 
that night she kissed the soft petals, which 
had begun to droop a little, and whispered 
gently,— 

Thank you, darlings.” 



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